Chapter 261

Words : 2276 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Cough. Cough. “Jim, if you’ve caught a cold, why not rest a bit?” Jack, the neighbor who had come with Jim to the training ground from their home, frowned upon seeing Jim continuously coughing. However, the person in question shook his head with a stern expression. “What are you talking about? A mere cold will get better if I move around a bit. Why should I rest when I can earn money even in winter?” “People... Even with such a bountiful harvest, you should take care of your health.” “Stop with that nonsense. Who can guarantee next year will also bring a good harvest!” As Jim shook his head decisively, Jack, who couldn’t hide his discomfort for fear of catching the cold, changed the subject. “Jim. Have you heard about the Healer’s Guild that’s been set up in the castle town? Perhaps you could visit after training.” “The Healer’s Guild?” “Yeah. They say they can cure diseases with herbs and treat injuries too.” “Herbs? ...Is that some sort of sham?” “No, not at all. Gennon from the next village got some medicine from there, and his dreadful cold was cured just like that. You just have to pay a little money....” “Money? Then I’m not interested. Why should I for a mere cold!” “It’s only 1 silver, you know?” “...What?” At that, Jim’s expression wavered. A century ago, when the continental currency policy changed, gold coins containing only a small amount of gold began circulating. Since then, the value of silver coins had plummeted. Even for a commoner, 1 silver was only enough to skip a meal. For Jim, who was quite thrifty, this was a tempting proposition. “Is that true?” “Do I only get fooled? Yes, it’s true! Go check it out!” Since he was also worried about passing the cold to his family, he had actually come for training out of fear. ‘I should check out this Healer’s Guild.’ With that decision, Jim refocused his attention ahead. In front of him, soldiers were demonstrating with crossbows (though a bit different in shape) that hunters would occasionally use. The training of the local defense group had just started this winter. The name, reminiscent of forced labor, was initially met with resistance, but the prospect of pay during training hours made everyone keen. As a result, the men and women of the 20-40 age group from non-farming households had all gathered, with quite a number of females among them. “Ah, come on! Why would women attend military training!” “You get paid, mister! Are YOU going to earn that money!? If not, keep quiet!” “......Well, fine then.” “And the royal family is raising female soldiers too, so who are you to object!” “Alright, got it. Ah, women. Always so assertive... Sure enough, I made a mistake in who I married....” “What did you say!?” “......I mean I married well. Certainly, it makes for a sturdy household. Yeah.” In addition to the local defense group training every few days, there was also the opportunity to volunteer as laborers in sewer construction. Although many people did not understand the purpose of it, those who had lived precariously until the previous year were eager to contribute. “The king doesn’t force you to work and you still get paid! Long live His Majesty!” “Hurrah, hurrah!” “Hahaha.” Centered around the people of MacLaine and Esperanza, smiles lingered on the faces of the residents directly ruled by the royal family. Even the domains that had not enjoyed a bountiful harvest had their silos full of grain thanks to tax reduction policies, leaving the farmers sweating with satisfaction even in winter. And all of this was faithfully reported back to the royal family. “Healers are asking for so little money?” Upon Damian’s report, Logan, with a puzzled look, asked back. It seemed impossible that such a small amount, just 1 silver, would cover the cost of the herbs. “According to Guild Master Gilbert, they intend to offer low-cost services until they gain recognition from the people. And even when they raise the fees later on, they promise it won’t be too burdensome for the commoners.” “...I see. If they volunteer, there’s no need to stop them. And it looks like both the magic energy water management and local defense group training are progressing well.” “Indeed. The overall kingdom is showing a stable trend. Apart from minor accidents, there’s nothing significant.” “Still, don’t neglect monitoring the trends and public opinion. If there’s a problem, I need to know immediately.” “Of course.” “Oh. And has there been any movement on the part of the empire?” “Yes. We are collecting information in conjunction with Philip’s MacLaine trade group, but there has been no significant change.” “Hmm. Is that so?” Is this good news? Logan was deep in thought. Even to himself, the changes in the kingdom seemed quite radical. Assuming an invasion by the empire was a given, there should have been some kind of reaction by now. “Huh. We haven’t managed to plant an informant in the imperial court, have we?” “...No. The identity screening is too rigorous. If we want to plant an informant in the imperial court, we’d need at least a decade. If you command, we can begin now.” “No, we don’t have that kind of time. We should use our efforts elsewhere.” “We are persistently approaching the empire’s high nobility. We’re establishing connections with those who can indirectly provide us with information about the imperial court.” “...Good.” Regrettably, that seemed to be the best option for now. However, with the irremovable unease in his mind, Logan let out a small sigh. Damian, hesitating for a moment, then suddenly broached a different subject. “Your Majesty. His Grace Patrick MacLaine had a personal favor to ask of me.” “What is it?” Damian and his information organization were directly controlled by Logan. In preparation for war with the empire, he had not allowed anyone but himself to command them. Was his father, who knew this well, overstepping that line? Logan’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, but then relaxed after hearing Damian’s follow-up. “His Grace requests to investigate the whereabouts of Prince Ronian. Though he said to keep it a secret from Your Majesty, I thought it proper to report to you.” “Ronian...” The only thing troubling him in these otherwise successful times was his brother’s whereabouts. It has been over a year since the last contact when he ventured deep into the Southern Mountains. ‘Maybe I should have left him in my domain to train.’ Knowing that Victor and Eillen, under the tutelage of their master, were still racing to the pinnacle of the ultimate realm, and Burdel on the verge of surpassing that realm, he couldn’t help regretting his decision. However, there wasn’t much he could do about it now. “If we want to minimize sacrifices when exploring the Southern Mountains, we need at least some trace to follow...” He was suddenly concerned about Ronian again, having busied himself with other matters as an excuse to put his trust in his brother. But then Damian mentioned something unexpected. “We are not sure, but today we received reports from a village at the fringe of the Southern Mountains that a young man with red hair bought some food and disappeared. The villagers found his red eyes unusual and remembered him.” “What?!” “I apologize, Your Majesty. I took the initiative due to the possibility that the young man was your brother.” “No, you did well. Hmm, he is alive after all. That’s right. I trusted that he was.” Saying that, Logan felt a little relieved, but then something strange occurred to him. “But if it really was him, shouldn’t he have come back after hearing about the kingdom’s changes? Could it just be a mistake?” After all, his lineage has become royal. Had he heard even a whisper of the news, he should have returned. “They tell me he bought food and left immediately. Therefore, we must start following the trail from that village. But as you know, the Southern Mountains...” “...We have a suitable candidate.” “Excuse me?” “There’s a strong character who hunted magical beasts in the Northern Forest comparable to the perilous Southern Mountains.” Logan recalled the future superhuman his father had brought a few years ago. A top-tier Force user archer, rare even on the continent. And the incomparable Burdel, a former magical beast hunter who might soon grasp the domain of Aura. “Let’s entrust it to Sir Burdel. Tell him to investigate the trail from that village and find and bring back Ronian. Give him one year. If he can’t find him, he can return empty-handed.” “Should I personally convey it?” “Wouldn’t you have to convey the information about that village as well?” “Yes.” “Good.” A burden seemed to ease from his chest, and Logan’s voice lightened. Just then, a knight’s voice reached from outside the office. – Your Majesty. Duke Patrick MacLaine and Count Roberts Floyd request an audience. Hm? Just as the tiger had said, a smile crossed Logan’s lips as he heard the news of an unanticipated visit. “Let them in.” Creak. As the door opened and his father and father-in-law appeared, Damian bowed successively to them before leaving, and Logan’s father had a curious expression on his face. A slightly flushed face, with a resolute finality about it. Guessing what was happening, Logan took the initiative to say, “We have found traces that could be Ronian’s.” At those words, his father’s face brightened significantly. “Yes!? Hahaha. What a relief. That’s good news. Truly.” However, his father’s tone was more formal than usual, which Logan found uncomfortable. “...Why are you suddenly speaking formally? It’s awkward.” “Even a parent must be mindful of how to speak to a ruler. From now on, I’ve decided to observe proper etiquette.” Such words and content sounded oddly familiar, and Logan, with narrowing eyes, asked shrewdly, “Did the master give you a hint?” Embarrassed for a moment, his father soon gestured dismissively. “No, no. It’s just about keeping the basic courtesy.” Ah. It was more awkward for Logan to hear such formality from his own parent, but he couldn’t really argue. “Do as you wish.” Logan shook his head with a rueful smile, and his significantly relaxed father continued cheerfully, “It feels even better hearing good news. The country is stabilizing and, why not, let’s do something even better now. Right, my dear in-law?” Something even better? In-law? ...Wasn’t he here because of Ronian? With an uneasy hunch, Logan’s gaze shifted behind his father. “That’s right, Your Grace.” The chancellor, beaming, echoed, adding more to Logan’s unease. “Your Majesty, at twenty-six, it would be wise not to postpone your marriage any longer.” That anxiety turned into spoken words, piercing Logan’s heart. “...Marriage?” He had forgotten that not only Ronian but also marriage was on his mind. Regardless of his confusion, his father went on with a smile, “Yes. The marriage of a king is also a matter of great national importance. It’s not right to delay without a reason.” Ah... That’s true, but... “Rumors have been circulating that my daughter is betrothed because Your Majesty has not spoken. As a father, I am naturally concerned.” “It’s definitely not that!!” Suddenly standing up in a surge of momentary embarrassment, Logan saw mirthful smiles spread across the faces of both the father and father-in-law. “Since Your Majesty’s resolve seems so firm, we may proceed right away.” “When would be a good date, Your Majesty?” Despite Logan usually charging ahead with matters, this was something he couldn’t respond to so rashly. ‘Marriage...’ He had never before, in either his past life or his current one, really envisioned such an event in his life. If anyone could read his mind, they might think it cowardly that a man already betrothed would come up with such excuses, but that was genuinely how Logan felt. After all, the engagement with Eillen was made for strategic recruitment. Moreover, that decision had been correct. Beyond just being a talent potent enough to become a superhuman, she had become the symbolic leader of MacLaine Kingdom’s women’s army, already indispensable for her tactical and strategic value. But for Logan personally, there was a greater significance. ‘...I can’t imagine a future without her.’ Over the past few years, it was her presence beside him, during those difficult times when he felt tired and weak, that kept him from faltering, that allowed him to maintain his resolve. He could no longer envision a future without her. But marriage. ‘I always considered my life to be on the edge of a knife. Should someone like me get married?’ A nagging unease clung to a corner of his heart. No, that’s not it. This is just... “...Fear, isn’t it.” Smirk. How pitiful. “Yes?” Realizing his true feelings, Logan let out a self-deprecating chuckle as the elders looked puzzled. Chuckling at their bewildered expressions, Logan declared as though to himself, “Yes, I understand. However, I will speak to Eillen in person about this.” Upon hearing this, smiles finally appeared on the faces of Patrick and Roberts.

Chapter 261

Comments (0)